Latest Dry Bulker Shipbuilding Orders Worldwide

It has been an active week in the shipbuilding market, especially in the dry bulk sector, according to Clarkson Hellas's 'Weekly S+Preport'.

Apart from a single Panamax order and declaration of some Capesize options, ordering has been primarily focussed on the smaller Handysize and Supramax sectors.

Starting with the Capes and taking its total orderbook at the yard to 12 firm vessels, we understand that Clients of Frontline 2012 have declared four further options for 180,000 DWT bulk carriers at SWS. Delivery of these latest vessels is scheduled towards the end of 2015 and into the first half of 2016.

It was also reported that Tai Chong Cheang S.S. has declared an option for the second in a series of 76,500 DWT Panamax bulkers at Imabari’s Marugame facility. Although pricing was undisclosed, delivery of the vessel is understood to be due in June 2015.

In the smaller sizes, domestic owner Baoyuan International (HTM) has placed an order for two firm SDARI design 64,000 DWT Supramax at Chengxi Shipyard in China. These are understood to be priced in the low USD 25s Mill per vessel, with delivery in 2015. Further new contracts to report at Imabari with Belships ASA contracting two firm 61,000 DWT Supramax at the yard. Pricing is understood to be in the region USD 28 Mill with delivery in late 2015 and early 2016.

Clarkson'a Weekly S+P report continues: on to the Handysizes and AVIC Weihai is understood to have taken orders for up to 6 Handysizes including 3 options. Visentini Giovanni Transporti were reported to have placed contracts for 2+2 38,000 DWT bulk carriers at the yard with delivery of the firm vessels in the first half of 2015 and options later in 2015 if declared. Globeco placed a smaller order for 1+1 38,000 DWT Handys, again for delivery in 2015. For all these orders, contracts are understood to have been signed around 3 weeks ago with pricing around USD 20 Mill per vessel.

Lastly in Dry, Clients of Fednav Ltd. were reported to have extended their Handysize orders at Oshima Shipbuilding to a total of 12 vessels, with the addition of six firm 34,000 DWT Ice Class Handysize bulkers. Delivery of the latest six contracts is lined up for 2015.